The Atlanta Falcons managed to snap out of their two-game funk they were in last week against the Redskins, thanks in large part to the legs of Michael Turner. The Falcons tailback only got 18 carries on the game, but that was all he needed has he averaged over nine YPC, en route to a 166-yard, two touchdown performance. Turner now has 317 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games and appears to finally be back on track to being the runner he was just a year ago. Expect the Falcons to lean on him heavily this week against a less than stellar run defense in the Panthers, especially since QB Matt Ryan has failed to take that next step as a pro so far this season. Ryan contributed virtually nothing to the Falcons cause against the Redskins last week, though in his defense he really wasn't asked to do so with the way Michael Turner was running the ball. Still, 135 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception are hardly worth the price owners paid for Ryan in drafts this year. In fact if you take away “Mattie Ice's” one 300-yard passing game this season, you have perhaps one of the biggest disappointments in all of fantasy football this year. Carolina has been surprisingly stout against the pass this year, so it could be another tough week for Ryan and the Falcons passing game. That means if you have a better option on your roster, go with it, but owners of TE Tony Gonzalez, who caught a touchdown last week (his first in three weeks) and Roddy White will want to stick with them. Both Gonzalez and White are simply too explosive and good to be kept down on a consistent basis. DeAngelo Williams and the Panthers rushing attack seem to have everything clicking once again. After getting off to a slow start this season, Williams has had four consecutive great outings, recording at least 149 yards rushing in three out of those four games and five touchdowns over that same time span. There is no doubt that Williams should be started every week, including this one in what certainly looks like another 100 for DeAngelo. Too bad the same can't be said for the Carolina passing attack, which continues to kill Steve Smith owners. Though last week's miniscule numbers can be blamed on the effective running of DeAngelo Williams, the fact of the matter is Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith just aren't performing. While there is no doubting Steve Smith's ability, with Jake Delhomme continuing to struggle to throw the ball, Smith has been effectively rendered useless. Consider him a low-end WR2 this week, and just hope Delhomme can find a way to get Carolina's biggest playmaker the ball.

Name

Rating

Pos.

Name

Rating

Matt Ryan

***

QB

Jake Delhomme

**

Michael Turner

*****

RB

DeAngelo Williams

*****

Jerious Norwood

RB

Jonathan Stewart

**

Roddy White

****

WR

Steve Smith

***

Michael Jenkins

WR

Dwayne Jarrett

Tony Gonzalez

****

TE

Jeff King

Jason Elam

**

K

John Kasay

***

Falcons

***

DEF

Panthers

**

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

The last time these two teams got together (week two) the Detroit Lions and Calvin Johnson got off to a quick 10-0 lead over the Vikings, which was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown from QB Matthew Stafford to Johnson. That promise soon faded, however, when Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson woke up and remembered they were playing the Lions -- both scoring at least one touchdown -- the former throwing for two. Peterson himself would record 116 yards from scrimmage, missing a 100-yard rushing game by a measly eight yards, while on the way to a win over Detroit. This week, however, the Vikings are at home and will likely give the ball to Peterson a little more than the 15 times he got the last time these two teams played. That means bigger numbers for Peterson, probably around the same amount of production for Favre, who threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns in week two and an even bigger win over the Lions. The Vikings simply won't need Favre to throw for big numbers to beat the punchless Lions in this one. Rookie QB Matthew Stafford has been frustrated, throwing five picks in last week's game against a subpar Seahawks defense, Kevin Smith is now splitting carries due to his lack of production and Calvin Johnson, a receiver who has immense talent and promise, can now be considered a bust for fantasy owners. Stay away from all the Lions players this week -- I mean what's the point in even trying to find a bright spot on that team.